Westminster Hall Debate on Tibet 10th December 2014

Fabian leads Human Rights Day debate on Tibet

On Wednesday 10th December, (United Nations Human Rights Day), Fabian led a Westminster Hall Debate on Tibet. Debates in Westminster Hall are attended by members of the House of Commons but are organised differently in order to secure ordered debate that is constructive rather than confrontational and there are no votes taken.

As chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet, it fell to Fabian to open the debate about the condition of the Tibet people and their culture and the oppression under Chinese Rule.

The following summary of his speech is taken from the web site of the Tibetan Society.

Fabian Hamilton MP led the debate and outlined the main issues of concern on freedom of expression in Tibet. He also highlighted the political prisoner cases of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and imprisoned Tibetan musicians Lolo, Kalsang Yarphel and Pema Rigzin. Mr Hamilton noted, "There is no doubt that the Chinese government use a mix of systematic oppressive measures, propaganda and disinformation to stifle free expression and to present a positive image of their actions in Tibet to the outside world."

Mr Hamilton called on the UK government "to challenge China's policies in Tibet, in particular where the Chinese government are flouting international standards on human rights and civil liberties" and to "strengthen policies towards China and Tibet, and to be more robust, with a clear stance and directive regarding human rights, civil society and democratic rights".

Speaking afterwards Fabian said, "I am pleased that my colleagues and I have been able to highlight the continued injustice that characterises the situation in Tibet. Sadly the propensity of powerful regimes to restrict political debate and national culture is all too evident in the world today. I hope that the debate highlighting the situation in Tibet will encourage governments like our own to continually draw attention to their disapprobation in political dealings with China and other similar countries. Eventually oppressive regimes will realise that with religious and cultural freedom comes wellbeing, industry, social and economic development, a positive climate that can benefit everyone and enhance international respect".